The New Orleans Saints were aware of the concept of a "Super Bowl hangover" heading into this season. And they didn't ignore the threat.

Rusty Costanza/The Times-PicayuneThe New Orleans Saints offensive line had their hands full against Cleveland on Sunday.

They studied the history of other championship teams, from the NFL and other sports, and they brought in a variety of guest speakers who warned of the hurdles that awaited them.

But seven games into a disappointing 2010 season, the Saints (4-3) can't quite figure out why they've fallen victim to it.

"Well, we haven't been naïve to it, " quarterback Drew Brees said Monday, a day after he threw four interceptions in a stunning 30-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. "We've talked about it. We've talked about it all offseason. We talked about it during training camp. I feel like our head coach, a bunch of the leaders on our team ... it's not like we've been naïve to the history.

"I think we're all in the midst of trying to put our finger on what exactly is going on. We know the type of team we have. We know the type of work ethic we have. The effort is there. Guys want to win. Guys want to be great. We just have to really focus on the details, not letting anything slide from being on time to meetings from what you're doing in the film room, what you're doing in the weight room, what you're doing in the training room, taking care of your body. Just don't let a single thing slide. Make sure you're accountable to one another. That's what everybody's preaching right now."

When asked if those types of things have been sliding this year, Brees said no.

But he said it's clear that the Saints haven't taken care of all the little details on the field.

"Obviously, we're not playing as well as we used to, " Brees said. "We haven't really let those things slide, but obviously we're not executing properly. We need to take a look at our practice habits and every little thing that we need to do throughout the week and make sure each guy to a man is doing everything they can to put forth your best effort."

Players and Coach Sean Payton pointed to a number of obvious problems Monday -- most of which, surprisingly, have come on the offensive side of the ball.

The persistent turnovers and penalties have been killing drives. The execution has been inconsistent in both the run game and the passing game. Payton admitted that his play calling hasn't always put his team in the best position to succeed.

Injuries have played a part, with key playmakers Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas having missed more than a month. Opposing defenses have come up with good plans to corral the Saints' healthy weapons.

And there is the idea that the Saints are facing the "best effort" from their opponents on a weekly basis.

The Browns, for instance, pulled out all the stops to beat the Saints on Sunday to earn their second victory. They used a trio of trick plays on offense and special teams. And Brees pointed out that the opponents celebrated their midseason victory by pouring Gatorade over the head of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

But Brees and Payton insisted that the Saints haven't been lacking that same passion and motivation. If anything, Brees said, perhaps the Saints have started to try "too hard" and started to press a little bit.

Even before Brees threw his first pick Sunday, the Saints had their worst start of the season. They gained 14 yards on their first two possessions combined, and they trailed 10-0 midway through the first quarter.

But Payton said he didn't believe it was a case of the Saints coming out "flat" against an opponent that wanted it more.

"Does that happen in games? Yes. Do I think that happened yesterday? No. ... I don't think after watching the tape and going through it all, I don't think we came out flat, " said Payton, who admitted that in all years, teams get more "up" for some games more than others. "You're hoping during the course of a 16-game regular season that you're able to play well, knowing that it's impossible at 16 weeks to have that same effort level and energy. And yet good teams are able to find ways to win.

"We're still a work in progress. It's obvious. We're sitting here at 4-3, and now the good news is there are nine games left in the regular season. We're not at the halfway mark yet. We have all of our division opponents to play again. It's very early, and yet we recognize we have to improve in these areas."

Guard Carl Nicks labeled himself as one of the worst offenders in Sunday's loss, because of inconsistent play and two costly penalties that killed a promising second-half drive.

He said there's no need for any "fire and brimstone" speeches or chair throwing by coaches or players.

"Just like the fans see the game, we know what we need to do, " Nicks said. "We've just got to get it done, period."

But Nicks, too, said he can't quite put his finger on why he and the rest of the offensive line have struggled for consistency after such a tremendous performance from the same group of guys last season.

"To be honest, I really don't know if it's something you can just turn on and off, " said Nicks, who was asked if any of the problems can be attributed to that so-called "hangover" effect.

"I mean, hopefully there's no connection. Me personally, I don't want to believe that, even if there is. I just can't fall into that trap, " Nicks said. "I think it's more of just a lack of execution all around."

If there is one connection among all of the championship teams who struggled in their follow-up season, it's that every one of those teams had to start over at 0-0 the next year.

As Payton pointed out, each season is its own entity. And each season, "you reap what you sow."

"There's obviously a tremendous amount of disappointment when you don't have success and you don't play the way that you want to, " Payton said. "But I think that the only thing that we know how to do is to get back up, make the corrections and focus on the next game."

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Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.